Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>Unlike the other college-specific boards I've frequented, this one doesn't have many chances threads. I suppose I'll find out quickly if it's because they're unwelcoming, but one great thing I've learned about Rice students is that they have a reputation for being friendly. </p>

<p>Let me go over, quickly, what I "get" from a chance thread. Since I don't know much about Rice's admissions process, this is a time for me to learn what is most important to Rice, how I can improve, and how I can shape my application. It also helps me know what to expect in spring when decisions come out. But even before then, it tells me whether or not I should seriously invest in an application. Money is tight for me, so while I definitely don't need "great chances" to apply somewhere, I'm realistic about falling in love with schools that are actually reasonable for me.</p>

<p>I really like Rice and have the potential to fall in love with it. I wasn't even considering Rice because it was in Texas, but the more I read about Rice and Houston, the more it is less of its stereotype - so I'm definitely not ruling it out anymore. In fact, I've come to really like Houston. To be honest, though, the primary reason I wasn't considering Texas was distance. I am generally looking at schools 2-8 hours from home because money is a huge factor. Rice, however, has an amazing financial aid program for low-income students and appears to cap the student contribution at $1800, which is doable. I could very well graduate with low debt or debt free and still be able to afford a plane ticket twice per year.</p>

<p>This was longer than I thought it'd be. Let me go over my stats:</p>

<p>General Stuff
Location: Maryland
Income: <$25,000 My mom took a paycut this year, so it might be more like $20,000. There are three people in my family, but my sister is NOT a college student.
Me: African American female
Class: HS 2010 / College 2014
Interests/Prospective Majors: International Relations, Public Policy, Urban Studies, Political Science, Human Geography... I'm open to just about anything at this point, though.
Other Schools: Yale SCEA, WUSTL, GW, American, Boston, College Park (in state); anything with excellent financial aid (so I may or may not apply to American)</p>

<p>I spent two years at my local semi-crappy public school. I'm spending my last two years at a distance learning high school. My old school sucked and I wanted to have the opportunity to take better classes, but that was my only option, especially due to limited funds. That said, I work to pay for my private schooling entirely in addition to supporting my family.</p>

<p>Stats
GPA: currently 3.84UW, best case scenario by mid year report: 3.88UW
Rank: school does not weight or rank
Rigor: 8 AP courses, 10 honors courses, 2 college courses (5 math, 5 English, 6 Social Studies, 4 foreign language, 4.5 science)
SAT: 2250 (720M, 750CR, 780W)
ACT: 31 (should I even send this?)
SAT Subject Tests: Lit 670, Math Level 2 700, US History 730</p>

<p>ECs
Work Experience: 25 hours/week since ninth grade
Volunteer Experience:
5 hours/week as Junior Community Association Member (9 and 10)
10 hours/week as Community Association Junior President (11 and 12)
[total: about 1500 hours in four years]
School Related Activities:
Freshman Speaker of the Council (appointed leadership 9)
Sophomore Executive Board President (elected leadership 10)
Student Government Association Member (9, 10)</p>

<p>The WORST part of my application is that I have almost no awards or honors. I can only think of two or three and most of those are from ninth or tenth grade. My weaknesses are my SAT Subject Test scores (or they are for other top tier schools, I'm not sure what's "good" for Rice to be honest) and my GPA. My ECs could also be better.</p>

<p>What do you think? How can I improve?</p>

2

<p>It looks good. With a family income like that, unless your family has lots of assets you should graduate debt free, with no student loans. Rice will probably still expect $1800 of work/study during the school year, and a moderate “summer earnings contribution” from you.</p>

3

<p>I would be very surprised if you get rejected. Your lack of awards is fairly unimportant considering that you work 25 hrs/week to support your education and family, and that you’ve accumulated over 1500 volunteer hours. Your background and URM status will make you almost a shoo-in at any school you apply to, if your essays and recs make a positive impression.</p>

4

<p>I think you have the potential. You can sell yourself pretty well, and that’s what you have to do in the essay. I know most URMs don’t wanna get in based off of solely race (I know I don’t), and I think that it will play a big factor but you worked your butt off. You have a great chance of getting in.</p>

5

<p>You probably are already aware that Rice is a QuestBridge partner school so if you apply through QB you won’t have to pay an application fee. Rice is binding during the College Match phase of the program, but you could just apply there through the Regular Decision portion of the program if you prefer.</p>

6

<p>All of us Rice students were able to convince you to apply. At first, it didn’t seem like you would consider it, but now you are :)</p>

<p>I think your chances are great. I don’t think it will hurt you to send in your ACT score, but that’s up to you. Your extracurriculars look good; it looks like you developed an interest for student government and devoted a lot of time to that. The work experience looks good too.</p>

<p>I would definitely go ahead and apply to Rice. Based on your stats and your out-of-state status, I feel that Rice will accept you, although I cannot say that with 100 percent certainty. Through the whole application process, I found out that Rice LOVES out-of-state students.</p>

<p>Financial aid is very good at Rice. Even if you don’t get financial aid, they give merit scholarships to 30% of the incoming freshmen (I was a recipient of one, which swayed my decision to Rice).</p>

<p>BTW, I also recommend that you look at applying to Emory in Atlanta as well, although Rice is better :)</p>

7

<p>You have a decent shot. Also, apply. there is no reason not to.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

8

<p>She could probably get into an Ivy let alone Rice (no offense, just saying she has really good stats for a URM (again no offense)).</p>

9

<p>In my experience, if you feel inclined to say “no offense”, it’s probably something offensive you just shouldn’t say in the first place. That said, I agree that the OP has great stats, period, and if she’s interested in Rice should apply.</p>

10

<p>I will b applying to Rice ED this year, so I am not an expert on the admissions process there. However, I still would believe that given your combination of decent test scores, above average GPA, and extensive work experience, you are set for many schools. Going into the top 20 is a slippery slope for most ppl who have no hooks (ie ppl like me who are white and come from upper middle class families). Regardless, you are different because you have a lower middle class background, I would assume based on the info given, and you are black, which thanks to affirmitive actions seals your admittance to Rice and all the top schools in American. I am by no means trying to insinuate that race is what will get you in though because you would still prbly get in if you were white or asian.</p>

11

<p>You’re good. I did the 25 hr/week thing through all of high school (up to 35 sometimes my senior year) - that **** is tough, and Rice notices.</p>

12

<p>One of the things I like to do in chance threads is post my thoughts to some of the comments to show people that I really am listening and that I do like to absorb some comments.</p>

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<p>We don’t have any assets or home equity, so this isn’t a problem. Most of my “summer earnings contribution” will have to be in the form of an option Stafford loan. The money I make during the summer has to last me through the school year for books, transportation, incidental fees, and spending money since my mom can contribute very little. However, graduating with less than $10,000 in debt (hopefully much less!) is no small feat, and honestly, I’m grateful for anything under $20,000!</p>

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<p>Although in the next couple of months I am definitely going to consider Questbridge, it’s not yet on my radar because I have a lot of reading to do and I’m busy (although with as much time as I spend on CC, you’d never know). That said, between NACAC and Collegeboard, most application fees are going to be waived. I’ll just have to pay to send test scores, the CSS PROFILE (I’m PRAYING I qualify for a fee waiver because $121 is really steep), and my transcripts.</p>

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<p>Well, of course! Every school deserves a fair shot, right? Then again, another post said Rice could do without more Yankees. Oh well. As for not sending my ACT score… that costs $$$, and I’m already pressed for cash this application season. If it’s not going to add to my application or help me, I’m not going to send them.</p>

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<p>Thankfully I’ve never had to work 35 hours a week during the school year. I’d probably collapse! I’ve done my best to keep my ECs in check, but it is really exhausting to work 25 hours a week and then go to school for 40 or 45. For all those students out there who spend 30+ per week plus on ECs on top of school work, good on 'em. I’m already exhausted and I’ve only got 75 hours/week booked. Some people on CC - well, I can’t imagine how they have time to even get on CC. It is really nice to find a school that cares. I mean, I’m not going to complain. For all that being low-income has been a struggle, in many ways it’s also a blessing. But to have to work 25 hours/week and then be PENALIZED because I wasn’t doing something like being captain of the chess team… well, that’s frustrating. I’m glad to hear Rice isn’t like that. I think all of the schools I’m looking at are pretty realistic, but you can never be sure.</p>

13

<p>BTW Rice could use more Northerners and out-of-state people. For the class of 2013, there will finally be a majority of out of state students: it appears it will be 55 percent out of state and 45 percent in-state students. I realize Texas is a big and diverse state so it makes sense that Rice has a large in-state student population. However, if Rice wants to achieve better national recognition, more out-of-state people is necessary. The out of state students will spread the prestige of Rice to other parts of the country. </p>

<p>So don’t let that comment about not needing any more yankees stop you from applying… he was joking anyway :)</p>

14

<p>^^ unless you like A Rod. then stay away :P</p>

15

<p>Damn, I think you’re pretty amazing… If you emphasize how much time you spend working, then that could make up for the few things that you do lack. Work on the essays and make sure you have good teacher recs. Good luck!</p>

16

<p>good essay, teachers and counselor’s rec = good chance</p>

17

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<p>I don’t follow baseball, so don’t worry.</p>

18

<p>i was kidding. it was a reference to the Yankees</p>

<p>never mind :P</p>

19

<p>LOL</p>

<p>Well, I SAID I didn’t follow baseball… way over my head.</p>

20

<p>fair enough. </p>

<p>to anyone who does and like the yankess. we (Boston) swept em again</p>

<p><em>gloat</em></p>